Bon Voyage

We are leaving for our first no kid vacation in a very long time in t minus 10 or so days.  To say I am beyond excited is an under-exaggeration.   I am beyond, beyond, excited.  Nothing like getting out of Dodge when Dodge is full of cold and wind and sporadic snow flurries.  Don't get me wrong, I am  sure at some point in my seven day- long date that I will have a crying fest because I miss the kids.  It's a dilemma that all mom's probably face.  You can't live with the noise, but then you can't live without it either.  I might need to find a random kid during vacation and offer to wipe the mouth, hands, and butt, just to feel normal. 

In preparation for the break, I have been gathering up what I call, "Sparkle, sparkle" dresses, perusing multiple websites on the best bathing suits, and even braved a spray tan.  Yes, I have stooped low.  We have also been working on getting the kids manners up to speed, since Grandma Jan is taking a heroic step and staying with the kids, all week long, by herself, at our house, just so Callie can got to school and I'm not put on the Bad Mom's list at school.    Emphasizing simple etiquette, like refraining from touching your brothers face while he eats, using the word Please for any request, and not mentioning poop at any time during dinner, are just the start of training.  

Since our trip consists of a cruise, I am really hoping that I have better luck than the recent cruisers upon the fire damaged Carnival line.  Nothing says, "Are you excited for your vacation?".. than a bunch of news media personalities asking why anyone in the WORLD would EVER consider a cruise in this day and age.  But since we all can't afford to fly ourselves to a private island like they apparently can, we will aim to get the most luxury for our buck, and just pray that an electrical fire doesn't make it all literally, blow up in smoke. 

I will try to take pictures, since my Grams requested them.  But I have a thing about making friends on vacation.  I don't.  So  I will see if I can get Kevin to be brave and ask a stranger to take a picture without having to meet them at the pool later that day.  Call me a vacation introvert, but if your not offering to bring me a towel or a drink, I'd rather not bother.  I prefer to save up my energy so that when I return home, I can once again be all things to every person under the age of 6, including a chef, a maid, a teacher, a doctor, a nurse, a night nurse, a butler, an encourager, and a huge shoulder.  Yep. It's high time for a bit of a break... and because my spray tan is starting to fade, it can't come soon enough.